Regions I and CAR draft CorPlans for their provinces

24 July 2008
Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), on its continuing initiative for the Collaborative Extension Service, organized the DA-LGU-SUC Collaborative Extension Service Planning Workshop for Regions I and CAR on 24 July 2008 at the Microtel Inn and Suites in Baguio City.

The workshop served as the venue for the DA-RFUs (I and CAR), PLGUs (Abra, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and La Union), and SUCs (PSU, DMMMSU, MMSU, ISCAF, BSU and ASIST) in Region I and CAR to establish the proposed collaboration by preparing/drafting Provincial Agriculture Plans and Programs (CorPlan) for the provinces with focus on Rice Self Sufficiency Program and agreeing on the specific working relationship, division of labor, roles and responsibilities of these partnering institutions on extension service.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Pedro Jerry D. Baliang (DA-RFU CAR) welcomed the participants from the DA, SUCs and PLGUs while BAR Dir. Nicomedes P. Eleazar explained the activity background by discussing the rationale, objectives, and its expected outputs.

The activity proceeded with lectures/presentations of Dr. Santiago R. Obien, BAR consultant and Dr. Eulito U. Bautista of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on the following topics: 1) Extension service situationer in the country, 2) Initiatives conducted for the proposed collaboration, 3) Concept and framework of the DA-LGU-SUC Collaborative Extension Service, 4) Proposed extension service activities by DA and SUCs for Region I and CAR LGUs Provincial Action Plan, 5) GMA Rice Program, and 6) F.I.E.L.D.S. Program in boosting rice production nationwide. The data and information on these presentations served as their guides/bases in the preparation of their respective CorPlans.

During the workshop, participants were grouped according to Regions (I and CAR) to have a unified approach at the regional level in preparing their plans and programs. The groups were then divided into provincial groupings and were tasked to work on the Provincial Rice Self Sufficiency Program, a key component in their CorPlans.

Identified major components and interventions for the drafted program were: 1) formation and reorganization of the Provincial Action Teams, 2) capacity enhancement activities for the farmers, seed growers/producers, seed inspectors, 3) R&D activities such as verification trials of latest technologies in collaboration with research agencies and varietal trials of newly released rice varieties, 4) irrigation systems repair, restoration, and rehabilitation, 5) assistance in the postharvest and mechanization, 6) marketing and credit assistance, and 7) program management and regulation.

The CorPlans will be finalized by the Provincial LGUs with the assistance from the SUCs, PhilRice, and DA-RFUs, and will be integrated in the DA National Programs.